Lauren: Our story begins on the night of February 6, 2024. I was late to church small group (as always oops). As soon as I walked in, a new guy named Seth caught my eye. I could tell right away how much he loved the Lord and just how genuine of a person he was. Also he was cute and intelligent and had the best voice! Over the next few months, I couldn’t help but notice as Seth passed quick glances at me, talked so kindly to me, prayed so thoughtfully for me, and asked me intentional albeit nervous questions to get to know me. One day he even invited me to study Revelation with him! My interest was solidified when he described his gratitude for how the Lord worked in his heart to save him when he was reading John 14 and how he wants the Word to play an important role in his life going forward. At a party at our pastor’s house in July, I realized it was my chance to chat with him. The next day our pastor’s wife texted me unprompted that she could see potential between us and spoke so well of Seth’s character (little did she or I know that Seth had stayed late at the party to ask her husband about me!). Not even a week later Seth asked me out to coffee and I excitedly accepted! Our first date was sweet but very nervous, but by date three we hit our groove and I felt for the first time in my life that I had found my husband. Over the next year of dating, I discovered Seth is a fun and dramatic storyteller, an intellectual who can memorize a book in a day, an enthusiast about his faith and hobbies who loves to share his excitement with others, and an incredible and devoted friend. But even more I’ve seen firsthand Seth’s sensitivity to the Lord, earnest desire to grow in the gospel, and humility in looking at his own sins before others’. I love how he cares for me: all the ways he thinks of me, encourages me, lavishes me with his love, and prays for and with me, but most of all for his grace when I haven’t been the best partner to him or I’ve overthought our relationship. I couldn’t be happier when he asked me to marry him because I am confident in how the Lord has brought us together and has shown me, through good days and bad days, that we’ll glorify him better together than apart. Here’s to a lifetime of loving each other and displaying God’s love for sinners through our marriage! Seth: I was invited to a small group at a friend’s house shortly after moving to Ohio and saw her walk in. It was one of those glances that feels a little different from others - something was different about this girl. I was content to ponder if this was something the Lord was going to work in. Soon, I ran into her everywhere - at a random trivia place with a friend, on the pickleball courts, and at all the church activities. Eventually, I knew I was attracted to her and little slip-ups gave me away. She caught me looking at her sometimes and showering her with questions whenever I got the chance. I started asking everyone in my life, out of excitement, what they thought of her and for wisdom about pursuing a relationship with her. On the day I hoped to ask her out, she strolled right over to me and started talking to me - I’ll never forget her glowing face saying yes! Our time dating was a time in which I got to see her Christlikeness in her content, meek, and thoughtful heart. She showed me only patience and love in a season with a lot of ups and downs. She absolutely loves people and adores her family. She has been so gracious and honest with me, assuring me I can’t be perfect in our relationship and pointing me to the cross. She always looks there. It’s been such a gift to see her unique strengths and the ways she uses them for others and not herself. I’ve loved seeing how much more deeply we love each other every day. Most of all, I’m thankful that our relationship is not based on ourselves but is modeled after Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us. I cannot wait for May 16th! I just want to marry her already!!!